Sounding-toy apparatus



29, 1936. 1:. J. PALOMBO, sR., ET AL 2,065,823

SOUNDING TOY APPARATUS v Filed Sept 17, 1934' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS .FWsr/No J. P/YL OMB S/r.

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ATTORNEYS Dec. 29, 1936.

F. J. PALOMBVO, sR., ET AL sounnme TOY APPARATUS Filed Sept. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS W M ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATE 2,065,823 SOUNDING-TOY armaarus Faustino J. Palombo, Sr. and FaustinoJ. Palombo, J12, Garfield Heights, Ohio Application September 17, 1934, Serial No. 744,516

7 Claims.

This invention, as indicated, relates to a sounding toy apparatus. It includes a supporting structure which carries one or more. disk-like members at suitable angles whereby when they are rapidly passed through the air they will give forth sound effects which will correspond in intensity with the speed of their motion. Here tofore various types of sounding toys have been manufactured, but such toys have given forth relatively little noise even when operated at high speed. The invention also includes other features of the supporting and disk-like members which cooperate to produce special visual and soundproducing effects. 1

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved sound-producing whirling or rotating toy which will be very effective in producing sound effects varying to a certain extent in proportion to the speedof rotation of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sounding toy which-will be simple to manufacture and assemble and whichwill be provided with sound-producing units of particular shape to be effective in operation and free of sharp edges which might injure the user. 4

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hollow disk-like whistling element having an area adjacent the aperture of approximately the shape of a truncated cone which will more effectively coact with the air currents passing through such aperture to produce the whistling effect. Another object of theinvention is to provide a whistling element for a toy wherein the hollow disk-like structure is provided with a vibrating reed positioned centrally of the same with its free end intermediate a pair of spaced apertures, whereby an improved sound effect may be produced.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain structures embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but several of various forms in which the principle of the invention may be used. 4

In said annexed drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a whirling bar type of toy embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the bar member of the structure shown in Figure 1;

I Figure 3 is a view in side elevation partly in section of one of the whistling elements shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse central vertical sectional view of one of the whistling elements;

Figure 5 isa plan view partly in section showing one of the terminal rings of the structure shown in Figure 1; I T

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an aeroplane type of toy provided with sounding elements and adapted to be whirled in ofiset relation to a center of rotation;

Figure '7 is a front elevation of a windmill type of toy embodying the features of the invention;

Figure 8 is a rear view of the structure shown in Figure 7; and V Figure 9 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figures 7 and 8.

The apparatus show'n'in' Figure 1 comprises a sound producing member in the form of a bar I having a hollow disk-like member 2 at each of its ends, such disk-like member being provided with an aperture 3 centrally of each of its sides, with the wall area 6 of the hollow member adjacent said aperture of somewhat the shape of a truncated cone with the narrow portion forming the margins 'of the aperture. The bar is provided on each side of its central portion with apertures 5,

. protected by eyelets or bushings 6 so as to form a passageway for the strands of the operating cord '5. The operating cord is preferably in the form of a continuous loop with its end portions passing through eyes 8 provided on terminal rings 9,

such rings, as shown in Figure 5, being preferably formed of continuous wire loops twisted adjacent one side portion so as to provide the eyelets 8 within the smaller portion at one side of the twisted area and a larger opening ll adjacent the 4 other side of the twisted area, the latter opening providing a thumb or finger hold whereby to operate'the toy. Jifhe hollowdisks are preferably formed with rounded circumferential portions l2 which prevent the toy when rapidly rotated having cutting action upon anything with which it comes into contact. Within the hollow disk-like member a thin metal reed or plate [3 is provided, said member having a substantially circular enlargement M at its free end, said enlargement being in alinement with the respective apertures on either side of thehollow member. The reed member may be a part of the bar I or may be an independent member as shown in Figures 3 and 4, wherein it is embedded in the ends of the bar proper which may comprise a sheet metal member l folded upon itself and secured at its free marginal portion in any desired manner, as by soldering, crimping, or the like.

With a device constructed as just described with a cord engaged through-the eyelets 6, the operator takes hold of the ring members 9 and with the bar in the central position gives the same a circular motion bodily which serves to twist the cord at either side of the bar. By drawing the respective rings 9 apart and gently releasing the same, the cord may be caused to unwind at a rate corresponding to the force applied in drawing the rings apart. This action 1 will cause a rapid rotation of the bar and as the air currents strike the apertures in the center of the raised conical portions of the hollow disklike members it will cause a shrill whistling noise.

The device will operate also if the whistling elements are disposed in spaced relation to a center of rotation as in the structureshown in Figure 6. In such case it is necessary to provide suitable air engaging elements to maintain the'whistling elements in the proper path of movement about the center of rotation, as well as ata suitable angle to the direction of motion. This accomplished in the structure shown in Figure 6 by providing the structure carrying the whistling elements in the form of an areoplane member 2| having a fuselage 22, and a wing. 23 at either side, together with a pair of horizontal rudders 24 and a vertical rudder 25. This device may be made of various materials including wood, sheet metal or plastic compositions. The whistling elements, as shown, are hollow disk-like members 26 similar to those heretofore described and shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4. They may be provided with .reeds in like manner to the structure shown in said figures or may be free of such intermediate reed members. The elements are preferably supported beneath each of the respective wings ad-1 jacent their ends by means of angularly disposed plates 21. These plates 21 are formed of light metal and may be slightly twisted to vary the angles at which the disk-like members are supported. At the front of the fuselage a propeller 23 is provided, said propeller rotating upon a pin 23 carried at the front end of the fuselage. A disk 3| is provided rearwardly of the central portion of the propeller and connected therewith so as to move with the propeller or to serve as a means for holding the propeller against movement. The disk is provided at its outer margin with a series of shallow teeth or notches 32 against which a finger 33 is adapted to bear,

the finger being carried on the end of an elongated spring metal plate 34 having a central slot 35 through which the shanks ofapair-of set screws 36, 3l pass, said set screws being received within suitable recesses in the upper front portion of the fuselage 22. [By screwing down the rearmos't setscrew 31 into firm engagement-with the rearward portion of the plate, the spring finger will be free to ride over the serrated portion of the disk and .cause a vibrating noise simulating a gas engine in operation. By screwing down both the set screw 31 andthe set screw 36, the finger will be so firmly held within the adjacent notch of the disk as to prevent rotation of the propeller, and the latter in such case can be adjusted to any predetermined angular position of the air craft and held in such position while the aeroplane member is swung about the 75 pivot.

' The propeller may be a blade of the usual type, but is preferably formed with a disk-like whistling element ll as the terminal portion of its structure. These elements ll are preferably inclined at a slight angle to each other, which angle may be varied slightly by bending the supports, and are formed with apertures 42 through the centers of such hollow disk-like areas, said apertures being at the narrow ends of areas in the form of truncated cones similar to the areas heretofore described in'connection with the whistling elements of the device shown in Figure 1.

The aeroplane member 2| just described is preferably mounted at the end of a rod 43 of suflicient stiffness to prevent the aeroplane member dropping freely, but with a slight degree of flexibility to permit free swinging of the aeroplane member about the pivot.

gaged from beneath one of the wings of the aeroplane through a slot 44 and thence is engaged downwardly through a slot 45 in said wing and the free end 46 of the rod is pressed firmly against the underside of the wing so as to firmly secure said rod against displacement. The opposite end of the rod is formed with an eye 41 engaging over a stud or screw 48 mounted at the upper end of a stick or handle 49. The handle as shown in Figure 6 may be tapered slightly in an upward direction and at its upper end. is preferably provided with a ferrule or cap 5| against which the underside of the pivot of the rod bears. A suitable washer 52 is engaged "against the upper side of the part beneath the head of the stud '48 so as to provide a suitable bearing surface for the pivot portion of the rod.

The flanged or side walls of the cap may be formed with ribs or teeth 49 against which a spring finger 50 carried by the rod 43 bears. Upon rotation of the aeroplane the spring finger causes a vibratory sound similar to an aeroplane engine. v

When the toy just described is swung through The free end of the rod ispreferably fiattenedand enthe air by giving the handle a suitable circular motion, the aeroplane will be driven through the air at a high rate of speed and the air currents impinging upon the margins of the-apertures in the landing gear hollow disk members and the hollow disk members of the propeller will give forth a whistling sound which will be enhanced as the speed is increased. The toy is safe for the use of children for the reason that the parts are relatively light in construction and the bar prevents the aeroplane being swung at so low an angle that it will strike the operator. If a cord were used the toy would besubject to sudden displacement upon the handle being improperly moved and the cord might wind about the handle or some other object and either injure th toy or injm'e the operator.

The structure shown in Figures 7 to 9 inclusive, is intended to provide for a very high rate of rotation in .one direction for a plurality of whistling elements moving in afixed path. In

the structure illustrated, the apparatusis provided with a base member 6| at the forward end of which a vertical plate 62 is provided, said plate preferably-being covered with an omamental facing illustrating a windmill tower or building, showing a doorway 63 and a circular window 64, and'a roof portion 65. Thewindmill proper comprises'a pair of arms 66 secured to each other centrally and engaged upon a shaft 61 at such point. At the outer ends of each of the arms there is provided a'whistling I4 preferably grooved to receive a driving belt wheel is driven.

15. In alinement with said pulley a grooved driving wheel 16 is provided, said driving wheel having a sleeve 1'! engaged over a stud 18 secured to the plate 62 slightly above the top of the doorway illustrated in Figure 7. A crank handle 19 is provided on the driving wheel by means of which the wheel'may be given a rapid rotation and in-view of the reduction in size of the driving pulley on the shaft 61, the arms will be swung rapidly about the shaft when the This action will produce a loud whistling noise which will increase in intensity as the speed increases.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the structures herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a supporting member, a hollow disk-like device mounted on said supporting member, said disk-like device having alined apertures through its central side portions and formed with the areas immediately adjacent said apertures in the shape of a shallow truncated cone with the smaller portion at the margins of said apertures to provide an angularly positioned edge against which the air currents will impinge, and means for moving said supporting member about a center of rotation at high speed to bring the apertures in said disk-like member into sound producing relation to the air through which it is moved.

2. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a supporting member, a propeller pivotally mounted on said supporting member and adapted to be rotated through the action of the air currents through which it travels, a pair of hollow disk-like devices mounted on the ends of said propeller member said disk-like devices having alined apertures through their cen-- tral side-portions and formed with the areas immediately adjacent said apertures in the shape of a shallow truncated cone with the smaller portion at the margins of said apertures to provide an angularly positioned edge against which the air currents will impinge, and means for 'moving said supporting member about a center of rotation at high speed to rotate said propeller and to bring the apertures in said disk-like members into sound producing relation to the air through which it is moved.

3. An apparatus of the characterdescribed having in combination, a handle, a pivot element provided at the top of said handle, a bar pivotally engaged on saidpivot member at one end and having a'bearing to maintain said bar at substantially right angles to 'said handle when said handle is held vertically, an aeroplane memher secured through one wing end to the oppo-.. site end of said bar with its wings in the plane of the bar, and a plurality of sound producing elements secured to said aeroplane including centrally apertured disks, the margins of the apertures in said disks being in the form of truncated cones to provide an angularly positioned edge against which the air currents will impinge.'

4. An apparatus of the character described I having in combination, a handle, a pivot element provided at the top of said handle, a bar pivotally engaged on said pivot member at one end, an aeroplane member secured through one wing end to the opposite end of said bar with its wings inthe plane of the bar and having a fuselage, wing members, horizontal and vertical rudder members, and landing gear, the landing gear being in the form of hollowdisks having 'alined apertures centrally of their sides and adapted to produce a. whistling effect when said aeroplane is given a whirling motion through the air the margins of the apertures in said disks being in the form of truncated cones to provide an angularly positioned edge against which the air currents will impinge. j

5. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a handle, a pivot element provided at the top of said handle, a bar piv-.

otally engaged on said pivot member at one end, an aeroplane member secured through one wing end to the opposite end of said bar with its wings in the plane of the bar and having a fuselage, wing members, horizontal and vertical rudder members, and a propeller at the front end of said fuselage, said propeller carrying adjacent each of its ends a hollow disk having alined apertures through its side members, whereby said disks are adapted to produce a whistling effect when said aeroplane is given a whirling motion through the air, the margins-of the apertures in said disks being in the form of truncated cones to provide an angularly positioned edge against which the air currents will impinge.

6. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a handle, a pivot element provided at the top of said handle, a bar pivat the front end of said fuselage, a ratchet and spring finger on said propeller andfuselage for simulating aeroplane sounds, said propeller carrying adjacent each of its ends a hollow disk having alined apertures through its side members, whereby said disks are adapted to produce a whistling effect when said aeroplane is given a yvhirling motion through the air, the margins of the apertures in said disks beingin the form of truncated cones to provide an angularly positioned edge against which the air currents will impinge.

7. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, a heavy horizontal base member, a vertical plate supported at right angles thereto adjacent one end of said base member, a horizontal shaft supported adjacent the upper central portion of said vertical plate, a plurality of supporting members engaged on the outer .end of said shaft, a plurality of hollow disk-like members engaged upon the outer po-rtions of said supporting members, said disk-like members having alined apertures through the side portions thereof and formed with the areas immediately adjacent said apertures in the shape of a shallow truncated cone with the smaller portion at the margins of said apertures to provide an angularly positioned edge against which the air currents will impinge, a pulley member at the opposite end of said horizontal shaft, and.

means engaging said pulley member to rotate the same.

FAUSTINO J. PALOMBO, Sn. FAUSTINO J. PALOMBO, J12. 

